Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to restricting or banning estate agents from collecting rent commission one year in advance, in line with the proposed restriction on landlords requesting upfront rent payments as set out in the Renters' Rights Bill.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

There are already protections in place to ensure that both tenants and landlords are treated fairly by letting agents. This includes the Tenant Fees Act 2019 which bans most letting fees and caps tenancy deposits paid by tenants in the private rented sector.

In addition, the Renters’ Rights Bill will prohibit landlords from requiring more than one month's rent in advance from tenants looking to secure a tenancy. This unfair practice can encourage prospective tenants to stretch their finances to the limit or prevent them from accessing the private rented sector altogether.

This measure does not apply to the fee structures agreed between landlords and property agents.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the merits of deposits for private renters.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government believes the current requirements for private rented sector (PRS) tenants to pay, and PRS landlords to protect, a tenancy deposit are reasonable.

The Housing Act 2004 requires landlords to protect deposits taken in England and Wales for assured shorthold tenancies, on or after 6 April 2007, with a government-authorised Tenancy Deposit Protection (TDP) scheme. These schemes operate with no cost to the tenant.

The Tenant Fees Act 2019 created legal limits to the amount of deposit that can be charged, and Trading Standards can fine landlords up to £5,000 for breaking the rules and up to £30,000 for multiple breaches.

As part of the re-procurement process of these schemes we are reviewing the operation of the TDP system and identifying areas for improvement.

Found: The bill would also amend the Tenant Fees Act 2019 to allow landlords to require a tenant keeping a

Found: interaction of the new rent periods provided for by clause 1 and the existing provisions of the Tenant Fees Act

Found: Act 2008 (enactments specified for the purposes of Part 1), in the suitable place insert— “Tenant Fees Act

Found: insert— “(6) The Secretary of State must take reasonable steps to communicate the changes to the Tenant Fees Act

Found: insert— “(6) The Secretary of State must take reasonable steps to communicate the changes to the Tenant Fees Act

Found: insert— “(6) The Secretary of State must take reasonable steps to communicate the changes to the Tenant Fees Act

Found: Act 2008 (enactments specified for the purposes of Part 1), in the suitable place insert— “Tenant Fees Act

Found: Act 2008 (enactments specified for the purposes of Part 1), in the suitable place insert— “Tenant Fees Act

Found: Act 2008 (enactments specified for the purposes of Part 1), in the suitable place insert— “Tenant Fees Act

Found: Act 2008 (enactments specified for the purposes of Part 1), in the suitable place insert— “Tenant Fees Act

Found: Act 2008 (enactments specified for the purposes of Part 1), in the suitable place insert— “Tenant Fees Act

Found: Act 2008 (enactments specified for the purposes of Part 1), in the suitable place insert— “Tenant Fees Act

Found: Act 2008 (enactments specified for the purposes of Part 1), in the suitable place insert— “Tenant Fees Act

Found: Act 2008 (enactments specified for the purposes of Part 1), in the suitable place insert— “Tenant Fees Act

Found: Act 2008 (enactments specified for the purposes of Part 1), in the suitable place insert— “Tenant Fees Act

Found: Act 2008 (enactments specified for the purposes of Part 1), in the suitable place insert— “Tenant Fees Act

Found: Act 2008 (enactments specified for the purposes of Part 1), in the suitable place insert— “Tenant Fees Act

Found: Act 2008 (enactments specified for the purposes of Part 1), in the suitable place insert— “Tenant Fees Act

Found: Act 2008 (enactments specified for the purposes of Part 1), in the suitable place insert— “Tenant Fees Act

Found: Act 2008 (enactments specified for the purposes of Part 1), in the suitable place insert— “Tenant Fees Act

Found: Act 2008 (enactments specified for the purposes of Part 1), in the suitable place insert— “Tenant Fees Act

Found: Act 2008 (enactments specified for the purposes of Part 1), in the suitable place insert— “Tenant Fees Act

Found: Act 2008 (enactments specified for the purposes of Part 1), in the suitable place insert— “Tenant Fees Act

Found: Act 2008 (enactments specified for the purposes of Part 1), in the suitable place insert— “Tenant Fees Act

Found: Act 2008 (enactments specified for the purposes of Part 1), in the suitable place insert— “Tenant Fees Act

Found: Act 2008 (enactments specified for the purposes of Part 1), in the suitable place insert— “Tenant Fees Act

Found: Act 2008 (enactments specified for the purposes of Part 1), in the suitable place insert— “Tenant Fees Act

Found: Act 2008 (enactments specified for the purposes of Part 1), in the suitable place insert— “Tenant Fees Act

Found: The bill would also amend the Tenant Fees Act 2019 to allow landlords to require a tenant keeping a

Found: made under section 14(3) of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 or described in section 12 of the Tenant Fees Act

Found: The forms were also updated when the Tenant Fees Act 2019 came into force (1 June 2019). 13.

Found: used to pay initial rent due during the permitted pre-tenancy period, see Schedule 2 to the Tenant Fees Act

Found: It also amends the Tenant Fees Act 2019 to include pet insurance as a permitted payment.

Found: It also amends the Tenant Fees Act 2019 to include pet insurance as a permitted payment.

Found: used to pay initial rent due during the permitted pre-tenancy period, see Schedule 2 to the Tenant Fees Act

Found: used to pay initial rent due during the permitted pre-tenancy period, see Schedule 2 to the Tenant Fees Act

Found: used to pay initial rent due during the permitted pre-tenancy period, see Schedule 2 to the Tenant Fees Act

Found: used to pay initial rent due during the permitted pre-tenancy period, see Schedule 2 to the Tenant Fees Act

Found: interaction of the new rent periods provided for by clause 1 and the existing provisions of the Tenant Fees Act

Found: used to pay initial rent due during the permitted pre-tenancy period, see Schedule 2 to the Tenant Fees Act

Found: used to pay initial rent due during the permitted pre-tenancy period, see Schedule 2 to the Tenant Fees Act

Found: To move the following Clause— “Limit on rent in advance of tenancy In Schedule 1 to the Tenant Fees Act

Found: To move the following Clause— “Limit on rent in advance of tenancy In Schedule 1 to the Tenant Fees Act

Found: To move the following Clause— “Limit on rent in advance of tenancy In Schedule 1 to the Tenant Fees Act

Found: To move the following Clause— “Limit on rent in advance of tenancy In Schedule 1 to the Tenant Fees Act

Found: 800184 0 K02000001 Country United Kingdom DLUHC Communities Direct DLUHC & ALB spend S085A468-TENANT FEES ACT

Found: Agency Team protects consumers and businesses by enforcing the Estate Agents Act 1979 and the Tenant Fees Act

Found: Generation Rent stated, ‘Yes, we believe this should be brought into line with the Tenant Fees Act 2019

Found: Communities TOTAL DEL DEL PROG Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government X085A834 X085A834-TENANT FEES ACT

Found: Welsh Government considers the set limits used in similar legislation that affects England (Tenant Fees Act

Found: Following scrutiny by parliament, the Tenant Fees Act 2019 (the 2019 Act) received Royal Assent on 12